Design that Inspires

For this year’s Design Awards, we pulled together an elite group of judges from all around the globe. For us, the Design Awards are a celebration of the creative vision architects and designers bring to the world. They highlight the truly innovative and inspiring work being done by the design community.

We asked a few of our distinguished judges to share their experiences on what they saw and thought of this year’s entries. “These projects show the diverse options available to designers in a multitude of industries and how designers are able to interpret their clients’ needs into reality,” says Faith Marabella, President & CEO of WDC Interiors. “Even within a set category, we were judging apples, with oranges, with bananas, through to passion fruit.”

While the entries were diverse, trends did emerge. Fellow judge, Ramesh Subramaniam, a director with M Moser Associates in Malaysia noticed a trend in the subtle use of colour. “Simplicity in finishes and a more controlled use of colour was certainly a trend that I noticed,” says Subramaniam.

For Marabella, the work move past trends and into innovative thinking and risk-taking. “The design entries go beyond current trends,” says Marabella. “They were extraordinary because they took chances and succeeded.”

We believe design defines and influences action, healing, idea generation and socialization. Through the Design Awards, we share ideas, inspiration and partnership. “It’s a wonderful way for the Design community to see what’s being done,” says Marabella. “They spark inspiration and showcase new ideas.”

Our annual Design Awards exist not just to highlight and share beautiful work but to reward the design teams with a 2,000 USD charitable donation in the winner’s names to the organization of their choice. Thank you to everyone who entered, judged or took part in this year’s program, and congratulations to the winners!

2019 DESIGN AWARDS JURY

​Amy Sickeler, Perkins & Will Atlanta
Anisa Heming, Center for Green Schools at USGBC
Chau Tran, MTA | Urban Design Architecture Interior Design
David Tracz, Studio 3877
Dehne Sibbernsen, HOK New York
Faith Marabella, Wellesley Design Consultants, Inc.
Jessica Collins, HOK Dallas
Linzi Cassels, Perkins & Will London
Ramesh Subramaniam, M Moser Malaysia
Shannon Murphy Gaffney, SkB ARCHITECTS